Keep red light cameras nailed in permanently

Published 7:22 am, Thursday, May 1, 2014

To the editor:

As I sat reading “ole” Randy Smith’s comments about hammering away red light cameras in Wednesday’s Courier, I had to respond. I also know Conroe citizens that have received a ticket for running a red light. Each will tell you that, while they may have been distracted and did not see the red light, they did run a red light and paid the traffic fine.

As for the Arizona contractor, ATS (American Traffic Solutions), getting $500,000, I seem to recall in a Courier article that ATS gets roughly half of the revenue generated. Remember, Conroe paid nothing to have the system installed. “Ole” Randy’s comments about the contractor getting $500,000, and going to make “the Conroe economy sick” is small-minded voodoo economics. Without the red light cameras, Conroe would have received zero additional tax dollars.

As was pointed out in this same Courier article, Conroe’s net revenue generated by the red light cameras have actually allowed the police to fund a traffic department that includes 4 motorcycle officers and a couple of other staff officers. Voting to do away with red light cameras has the potential to actually cause a tax increase to fund the additional police.

“Ole” Randy’s statement “always obey all traffic laws” is good advice but the sad reality is that drivers don’t. How often have you seen drivers speeding, zig-zagging through traffic at a high rate of speed, making illegal turns, endangering other vehicles, etcetera. Drivers do not police themselves; this is why we, the tax payers, fund the city, county and state police departments. Without red light cameras, given the opportunity, drivers will run red lights. “Ole” Randy’s associates that are sick and tired of cameras are very likely the same people that will run red lights if the cameras are voted down.

The view of my wife, family and friends is that this issue has nothing to do with Conroe revenue or Big Brother watching, but with personal safety. Red light cameras have been proven to be a significant deterrent to people running red lights. In Conroe there has been a 63 percent reduction in traffic accidents at intersections where the cameras are installed.

Before moving to Conroe, we lived in Houston — before, during and after red light cameras were in operation. Daily, we traveled through a very busy intersection. Before the cameras were installed, there were multiply accidents weekly. Once the cameras were installed, we observed a significant drop in the number of accidents at this intersection. After the cameras were voted down, the accidents were back to the pre-camera level. Recently, my wife and I were at this same intersection and had to sit with our light green as four cars ran their red light.

We hope that the citizens of Conroe recognize the red light cameras as the deterrent to people running red lights. The camera system, while possibly needing improvements, mitigates the risk of being t-boned at some traffic intersection and seriously injured or killed because some idiot thought they could get to their destination a few seconds sooner by running a red light.

I have yet to hear a sound, logical, argument for voting down red light cameras.

Before voting, each of us needs to ask yourself, how important is our safety and the safety of our families and how do you put a value on that safety.

Let’s not be like Houston, where the supporters of retaining the cameras did not vote on their proposition.

Our hope is that Conroe retains and expands the red light cameras.

Joe Saladino

Conroe

Martin has earned another term

To the editor:

Perhaps I will never understand politics or political people, but four years ago Lynda Sasser could not do enough to elect the “Three G’s.” Now as the first person to file in the city election, she doesn’t choose the open seat or uncontested seat, but goes against the councilman who serves on the most committees and who is Mayor Pro-tem, none other than one of the “Three G’s.” I supported Linda when she ran for school board. She is a person who can accomplish a lot, but Guy has earned another term, and Lynda can have my support after that. Therefore, I am asking the thoughtful citizens of Conroe to vote for Guy Martin to help him continue to do the outstanding job that he is doing for this great city.